Question

Difficulty: MediumRegulatory Signs

A driver approaches an intersection controlled by a posted white rectangular regulatory sign that reads 'NO RIGHT TURN'. However, a police officer directing traffic at the intersection explicitly signals for the driver to turn right. Which of the following actions is the driver legally required to take?

  1. Turn right as directed by the police officer, because manual instructions from a traffic officer supersede posted regulatory signs.Answer
  2. B
    Proceed straight through the intersection, because static regulatory signs take precedence over manual officer hand signals.
  3. C
    Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic, then execute the right turn only when the intersection is clear.
  4. D
    Overtake stopped vehicles on the left to execute the right turn from an adjacent lane.

Answer

Turn right as directed by the officer, because verbal commands and hand signals from a traffic officer take precedence over static regulatory signs.
Directions given by a law enforcement officer or designated traffic control official take priority over all automated signals, pavement markings, and posted regulatory signs. The driver must turn right as directed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the conflict between the posted traffic control device and the officer's instruction.
The posted regulatory sign prohibits right turns, while the traffic officer is directing traffic to turn right.
Traffic officers manage traffic flow dynamically during emergencies, events, or road hazards.
2
Apply the traffic control hierarchy rule.
Recognize that manual directions from a law enforcement officer supersede static regulatory signs, signals, and road markings.
Traffic laws establish that authorized personnel in uniform have ultimate authority over traffic movement.

Key Concept

Priority of Traffic Officer Directions Over Regulatory Signs
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